Is a stamped ar15 possible?

[ThePenguinKnight]

I understand the design would probably be difficult, but is it at all possible to make a stamped sheet metal upper or lower receiver for an AR15 type rifle? I can imagine it would be extremely difficult to make a lower which would accept a standard upper, but is it possible?

Thanks.

 

[dogmush]

Anything's possible.

I imagine the lower would end up a lot like the AK, with stamped sheet metal sides riveted to machined trunnions to hold the stock (buffer tube) and in the front maybe the pivot pin, or maybe the whole magwell. would depend on how "stamped" you wanted it.

The upper would be pretty easy, just make a stamping and fold it kinda like a G3 reciever, and then rivet or weld it to the barrel extension. It would make barrel changes less fun. (kinda like other stamped guns actually). I'd probably wld a tube in the rear for the takedown pin to go through. (Again like the G3).

It wouldn't really serve a purpose other than the "look I did this!" but it's doable.

ETA: As far as non original AR recievers, I REALLY like the "bolt together" one that has pictures running around. You could make that with a good drill press and saw.

 

[COgunner]

The original Armalite AR-180 was a stamped steel AR-type rifle. Gas piston design too.

 

[Jim Watson]

Not reasonably so.

When Armalite wanted a stamped rifle, they started over and designed the AR18.

 

[scramasax]

The AR-18 was the solution to the cast and machined AR-15. It was meant to be manufactured on lower cost and less advanced machinery, With lower tech materials.

 

[briansmithwins]

The other reason for the AR-18's design as to avoid the Armalite patents that Colt bought.

BSW

 

[tyeo098]

Over on WeaponsGuild a guy made a panel-based screw together AR lower.

Pretty neat.

 

[kBob]

The AR-18 was in development before Colt got manufacturing rights on the AR15.
To this day I think even the Sterling AR-180s were better than the SP1 AR15s. ( and the Cosa Mesa and Howa guns better yet) A couple old Police publications from the late 1970's seemed to like the -180 better for accuracy, and reliability as a gun for a police cruiser. ( I recon that at cost M-16 A1s after the change of the feds to A2s had much to do with the current police popularity of M-16s of one type or another)

I loved the scope mounting system on the -180 and would love to see someone make a low Stanag mount to clip on to allow whatever to be mounted easy. The old dedicated scope was fine for the late 60's and the 1 inch ring was ok as long as you had a one inch scope of the right shape to get both proper eye relief and allow mounting.

Speaking of stamped and AK like and the AR -18 and Stoner.....take a look at the Stoner 63 system.

-kBob